Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-04-16
A Young Mans Dilemma.

II lVuuSS Mdl . DlloAliilo'
1t all happened by the merest &C
cidcnt, and if l had remained at
home instead of going abroad to
srend the holidays, there would
never have been occasion to relate
this little incident in my otherwise
meventful life. Bnt, as our en-
tire existence is made up Of acct
dents-some of which prove very
Interestingly will endeavor to as
sist you in wiling away few idle
moments by telling you an I'M
pleasant predicament in which l
found myself several years ago.
MY name is Thomas Oxford. At
the time at which this story opens
I was one of number Of book
keepers in a large mercantile es-
tablishment, for which | received a
modest compensation. By a little
economy, l had scraped together a
neat sum, which came in very nice
ly in my after life. atIording me, as
it did, an opportunity ofenhancing
nv fortunes considerably. l was
alwas particular in the selection Of
my associates. and, in this manner,
gained the friendship and good
will of the best people i'll the city
which | called home. Now you
know who Iam-or was-rather.
was keeping company with 4
rcpossessing young lady. She
asnot what might have been
med handsome, but she was far
Ii bad looking. In stature she
small; her form was round and
n p; was jolly; had an angels
and large, frank eyes,
whose luster had never been dim
med by cares. Her virtues sparkled
like so many rare gems, which
dazzled like jewels before my eyes.
Could anyone help lovingzNellie
Wilson? l could not; at least it so
seemed to me.
The holidays had come, and one
after ano:lierwe were allowed orr
days of recreation. I had been in
vited to spend a few weeks with a
distant friend, Mr. Joseph Brown,
and when the time for departure
arrived | bid good bye to Nellie,
promising all sorts OF lovers non
sense, and also to bring her a me-
mento of my visit. You can easily
surmise by this just how far mat
ters between US had progressed.
At the end of my destination l
vas met by Joe, and cab speedily
nveyed US to his palatial resi-.
,ce-for he was we'll TODD and
had dealt kindly with him. [
W rrprised on our arrival at
his ne to find that | was not the
only guest, but that, unknown to
me. he had invited a young lady
his wife sister-thinklng, in his
philanthropic way, that he was do
ing me favor, knowing how fond
I was of the society of young Ia
dies. Her name was. Kate Rose
mond, and she was heiress to a
large amount Of money.
From the moment we met | was
not myself. She was the embodi :
nent of grace and beauty, and her
oueenly figure captivated me at
once. All thought of my almost
betrothed at home were dispelled
and my soul seemed wrapped up
in my new acquaintance. The fu-
ture had no thought for me. Twas
living only in the present. Some
will call me tickle and unprincipled,
but | doubt if anybody could have
withstood her charms.
After getting thoroughly settled
I devoted my entire time to Miss
Rosemond, and manifested my re-
gard for her in every possible way.
In this was seconded by my friend
Joe, whose ardent desire seemed to
be to mate us. One thing distressed
me. Did Miss Rosemond esteem
met Did she feel for me that ten
der passion without which this
earth is made a bell to married
people? Mine host urged me on,
saving that "faint heart meier won
fair lady," He laid before me the
fact of her almostunboundedr
and painted pictures of future COM
fort and luxury. But it was not
her money L sought; this seemed a
barrier to me. 1t was herself. ]
tried to tell her so, but it was use
less. In her easy, graceful manner
she would eyade me and change
the subject.
The time for my departure ar
rived. What should l do7 Tell
her boldly that l loved herr No, |
could not. Ill had been sure OF
her feelings toward me l would not
have hesitated, but under such
doubtful circumstances l did not
deem it advisable, and therefore
left without telling her how dearly
| worshiped at her shrine. | was
invited to repeat my visit, and
when Miss ROSemODd added tia,
she would be delighted to meet me
again, l almost felt like laying bare
my thoughts.
When | got home it began tt
dawn upon me that | had not actet
in the most honorable manner
toward Nellie, bnt l assured my
self that no one could have resisted
the temptation. There was but on'
course for me to pursue, and tina
was to 90 Straight to my first low